happy hour in Paris…

Well, for me any hour in Paris is “happy hour,” but the idea of channeling some jazz age glamour in the City of Light is an enticing proposition. Doni Belau who is the force behind the fabulous website Girls Guide To Paris has put together a compendium of some of the best craft cocktail bars in Paris as well as Paris-inspired cocktail recipes. Paris Cocktails is a beautiful glossy book, filled with images and reviews of Paris’ cocktail bars, recipes, notes about celebrations and traditions in France, and ideas for entertaining. It’s an elegant book that would make a lovely gift.

About three weeks ago we had the pleasure of attending a book signing and cocktail tasting at one of LA’s favorite French-themed restaurants, “The Little Door” in West Hollywood. The event was held out on the charming patio, and once everyone had arrived, we got right to tasting. The first up was a light and refreshing mix called “Bisous du Soleil” (Kisses of the Sun)…

Next up was one that I can’t remember the name of at the moment, but it was made with a pepper-infused gin.

It was the first time I’d had gin since a Very Bad Morning After when I was 21. And it was delicious! The canapés were very, very tasty too.

The last drink, “The Last Call” was my favorite, probably because it was whiskey based. In fact, there are only two ingredients, whiskey and hibiscus liqueur…

The whiskey is French, and the liqueur from Brooklyn. The drink was served with a hibiscus flower floating in it…

The hibiscus liqueur gave it a slightly spicy edge, and it probably would make a nice after-dinner digestif. As you can see, the tastings were small. If I’d had three full-sized cocktails le Monsieur would have had to take me out in a wheelbarrow!

We each received a copy of Paris Cocktails, which Doni signed. It was great to meet her too; we’ve exchanged emails in the past and had a nice chat about our favorite Paris experiences.

Le Monsieur kindly offered to donate his copy of the book for a blog giveaway, so without further ado, let’s get this party started!

To enter to win a signed copy of “Paris Cocktails” use the Rafflecopter widget below and…

A lovely martini made with pear liqueur…I’m sure it had a creative name, but that escapes me! I recall my Great Aunt and Godmother drinking Manhattens, her signature cocktail, many years ago, and I thought she was the most sophisticated thing ever and I couldn’t wait to be an adult and order a cocktail. When I was (almost) of age, I ordered a Manhatten and thought it was the worst thing I’d ever tasted. Auntie was still very well traveled and sophisticated…but that was the last Manhatten I ever ordered!

Try making mint tea (steep a bunch of fresh mint in boiling water and allow to cool for a concentrate) and adding lemonade, then pour over ice, for a refreshing “meadow tea” on a hot summer day! Very refreshing!

My favorite cocktails–or rather aperitifs, have always been spent in my aunt’s Paris apartment. We would always send my better half out to Rue Buci for our evening baguette while we enjoyed a Porto together. Upon his return, we would have the Kir Royal’s. She passed away in October, but I want to thank you for bringing back a great, great memory for me. Have a read about her: http://atypical60.com/2015/10/27/paris-without-daniele-part-un/

For summer: a glassic gin and tonic and a lemon slice along with the lime (there are some very classy new tonics and craft made gins out there that elevate this to a whole new level. In the winter, a classic old fashioned made with bourbon, hold the cherry. None of the modern from-frou $20 cocktails for me; I like the classics

We are off to Mexico next week for some r and r. My biggest decision of those days will be mojito or marguerita (spelling?), two of my favourite hot weather drinks! I also enjoy a lemon drop martini once in a while. I am definitely a lemon-lime gal.
Thank you for the giveaway. Suz

Today is a balmy Canadian -15C outside so, as you can imagine, a cocktail now and again is dearly appreciated ; ) The current favourite is a Greyhound made with Hendricks gin, the juice of a whole grapefruit served in a tall glass with lots of ice. Refreshing and allows one to laugh in the face of more snow on the way.

Much to be said for a lovely, very dry Gin Martini, but I think my favourite cocktail might be a Negroni (so much is association, right? The plaza in Turin, the afternoon sunshine…). Although I did get to love a pre-prandial Pernod, ice and water on the side, when we spent time with friends in the Auvergne years ago. Similarly, I can quickly get myself back into a Kir habit without much effort (I keep a bottle of Cassis on hand for any appropriate bottle of white wine).
Sadly, my tolerance for same has much diminished with the years, and the servings you show above look perfect. What a fun event this looks to have been! Smart publicist to invite you — a great ambassador.

JillH
One of my favorites, especially during the summer, is gin and bitter lemon made with Botanist Gin, Fevertree Bitter Lemon and a twist of lime. It harkens back to the day when, just out of college, a friend was celebrating moving into her first apartment in NYC and we sat on her balcony in the heat of July, G & BL’s in hand.

I’m pleased that sorrel has entered the spotlight. Grew up drinking an infusion made from the sepals blended with crushed ginger cloves and cinnamon. Ubiquitous in the Caribbean especially during Christmas. This is nonalcoholic, of course. Recently learned it’s called rosella in Australia.

My “usual” is Grey Goose L’Orange with a splash of cranberry, “up,” in a martini glass. The glass is everything, and makes it fun. This book looks great, so thank you for this opportunity. Even if I don’t win, I’m going to buy several copies as gifts for my sister & brother-in-law and for my husband’s sister & brother-in-law (and 1 for myself!). My husband and I have spent many delightful weekends in Paris with each of these “Family as Best Friends” couples and have wonderful memories together. Love your blog!

I’ve only had one Martini in my life but the setting was memorable. It was at the late, storied Palm Court of the Plaza Hotel in NYC where we stayed on our brief honeymoon. We were married the day before which was also my 23rd birthday. Since I was now a grown-up married lady, I decided to order a grown-up drink. ,

I have several favorites which fall into and out of favored status depending on my mood and time of year. However, I have a new favorite — the French 79th from Country Cat in Portland. It’s similar to the French 75, but tweaked a little.

I did a double take when I saw your post! I met Doni and received her book at the Chicago book signing!! What a fun and fascinating woman she is (not to mention those delicious cocktails!). I have not had a chance to make any yet but plan on it soon. Please don’t enter me in the drawing as I already have this lovely book, but would like to add my favorite beverage of choice lately is a bold red wine as our temperature hovers around 12 degrees!

The French really do not drink American-style cocktails all that much. though they have been taken up, like hamburgers. here and there. Most French hosts serve an apéro at home, such as a glass of champagne or pastis. If you try to get a cocktail in Paris, your best bet is a hotel bar or a specialized cocktail bar like The Rosebud or Le Scott (my absolute favourite) . The corner bistro does not offer them. In some circles a kir royale is considered hopelessly dated, go figure. I still find it a romantic, delightful drink.

Hi Duchesse, according to Doni that’s changing at least in Paris. The book lists several iconic and newer bars that specialize in craft cocktails. I’m looking forward to visiting some of them when we’re there in July.